Personally, I never consider anything complete unless I hear it on several very different systems that I am familiar with.And that means at least once on the car system (it's full-range and can highlight overlooked flaws) Mastering to 'phones alone isn't really possible because the bottom end is always rolled offSmall desk monitors will have the same issue.If no option for "big" monitors, use a spectrum analyser and watch what's happening under 240HzRemember that low frequencies can produce uniquely rich harmonics as formant objects resonate in a recorded space. (boomtown)Play what you've completed on a system capable reproducing lows, even if highly colored, just to "know" what's going on.

There's always Beatlephones:

OK, but seriously, on a budget? Either of these will not break the bank, and are quite neutralAKG K240Samson SR850

« Last Edit: January 03, 2019, 02:26:27 AM by 108Ω »

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"Peace is for everyone" - Norah Jones"We tape to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect" (with apologies to Anais Nin)

I have heard some describe SR-60 / 80 as great listening, but a bit flavored.As over-the ear, there may be more anatomic geometry involved than around and covering the ear, but that gets debated.

Fletcher-Munson curve aside, this is the SR-80e:

Mixing for cut-ins, dubs, etc, isn't mastering for balance and presentation, just to keep it clear. Although there is overlay between the two.

I do use phones, often at least two different types on different days, because we acclimate to sound and other factors even barometric pressure affect how we hear.However, a good pair of nearfield monitors, with the greatest range and flatest response that you can provide, are probably a better way to go.

« Last Edit: January 10, 2019, 12:57:08 AM by 108Ω »

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"Peace is for everyone" - Norah Jones"We tape to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect" (with apologies to Anais Nin)

The AutoEq project contains 1438 (and counting) EQ profiles for many popular headphones. Basically, they use pinnae-mounted microphones to measure a headphone's frequency response and then derive a paremetric EQ profile to achieve the flattest possible response from them. Check here first to see if your headphones have an EQ profile available before you jump in.

If you read the page linked above, there are instructions on how to apply the EQs in Windows, Android and Linux. If you're on a Mac, I'm sure there are great parametric EQs available that you could plug the raw EQ numbers in to and save/tweak.

I'm currently using (on Windows 10) Equalizer APO > HeSuVi > ODAC > Grado 225 with the provided EQ profile. Equalizer APO is a real-time EQ that works within the Windows audio subsystem. HeSuVi is a GUI that includes the AutoEq profiles as well as virtualization/surround stuff (which I don't use).

I use Sony V6 for critical monitoring but I don't consider them pleasant, merely accurate. They go loud, so they are often used as studio monitor headphones, but that is for musicians to hear themselves in the monitor mix over live drumming, moreso than for critical listening.

I mix on floor-standing speakers which are really too close to my head (about 2 feet away, totally off-axis, right by my desk) but I'm used to it.